Used car guide

2021 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Volkswagen Golfs, from 27,979 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

27,979MOT tests in 2025
91%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
8,700typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Volkswagen Golfs than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Shock absorbers4.7× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    8% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Brake discs: 2.7% here, against 7.1% of all 2021 cars.

By area

The share of 2021 Volkswagen Golf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    9% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    8% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Software glitches
    All engines

    The most common complaint: engine cut-outs, false safety warnings, phone pairing and keyless entry problems. Big updates need a dealer.

    At the viewing: Drive it long enough for the screens and driver aids to settle, and check for warnings.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk8 buyer's guide

  • eHybrid fuel use
    eHybrid plug-in

    If the plug-in hybrid isn't charged often, real economy is about 50mpg, far below the official figure.

    At the viewing: Ask how it was charged and check the charging cable is there.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk8 buyer's guide

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023955Tyres 14%
202223,873Tyres 27%
202039,589Tyres 28%
201952,885Tyres 27%
201861,339Tyres 28%
201769,559Tyres 27%
201664,629Tyres 28%
201567,035Suspension 29%
201463,805Suspension 31%
201354,339Suspension 35%
201250,845Suspension 44%
201148,378Suspension 50%
201042,078Suspension 53%
200940,541Suspension 52%
200835,280Suspension 52%
200734,305Suspension 53%
200624,267Suspension 52%
200515,641Suspension 51%
20049,672Suspension 54%
200313,796Suspension 51%
200211,757Suspension 49%
20016,490Suspension 49%
20003,601Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Volkswagen Golfs registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score